Compost is one of the best thing to add together to your garden because it furnish grain , nutrients , and good organisms . But could you grow plants in compost alone ?

you could not grow plants in compost only because the grain is not suited . The water will drain tight and the plant can not get the required support . It will hurt from underwatering and topple over once it rise grown . The compost comprise nutrient that can take to over impregnation and toxic .

I ’ve written details below on why you should not apply compost alone in your garden . I ’ve also cite the ripe way to use compost in your garden and its benefit .

compost packet

Packet of compost I used for my plants

1. Compost will dry out fast

The biggest issue with using only compost to spring up your works is the light and crumbly grain . This will make the piddle to debilitate out tight and your plant to dry out out faster .

If you mingle in some soil together with the compost , the grain will be better and your industrial plant will not dry out out as fast .

If the soil stop too much guts , the urine will enfeeble out fast . If the soil contains too much remains , it will hold the moisture for foresightful .

When you mix compost with such soil , it helps improve the texture and the water - contain content . This relieve oneself it easier for it to check the moisture for the demand time and not too recollective .

2. Compost tends to be expensive

The compost tends to be expensive , specially when you buy it at a memory board . you’re able to spare some money if youmake it yourself , but it will be you fourth dimension and effort .

That ’s why it ’s practiced not to only use compost to grow plants because you ’ll involve to either make or purchase a bunch of it .

You should mix topsoil with a few inches of compost to avail you save money and get the full texture for the grunge . Compost is good for improving the soil texture , but topsoil is more beneficial to plants in terms of structure and water retentivity .

3. Compost will not provide stable support

The grain of compost is soft and crumbly . If you attempt to grow plants directly in the compost , the radical do n’t get the need financial support .

When the flora grows to a bigger size , the compost wo n’t be able-bodied to defend the plant . There is a risk that the plant will fall down as a result .

It ’s near to mix soil with the compost so the roots and the base of the plant can get the require reinforcement .

4. Compost will compact quickly

The soft and friable texture of the compost have in mind that it will bundle very tight . The more water you add to the compost , the more it will start to recoil .

This is a problem because the compaction will trim the stomate in the soil and the roots will contend to get access code to air . The roots also wo n’t be able to get nutrients and wet from the compost .

The compact texture also imply there will be body of water collecting in the compost . This will induce the roots to drown and lead to fungal disease and rootage rot .

If you summate stain to the compost , you wo n’t face this job . The grain will be just right so the soil can retain sufficient moisture but run out out the excess . The soil wo n’t wad after you give itgood watering .

5. Compost will lead to excess nutrients

One of the welfare of compost is it can add a spate of beneficial nutrients to your soil . This admit macronutrients like N , potassium , and phosphorus .

It also let in micronutrients like calcium , iron , boron , magnesium , manganese , Na , and zinc .

If you grow the flora only in compost , there is a risk that the nutrient are more than what the flora needs . This excess will induce toxic buildup in the soil .

This can end up killing the plant or get problems such as yellow foliage , blooms , or damage fruit .

Mixing the compost with soil will give the right balance of nutrient to the plant life . This will help the plant develop sizable origin , foliage , flowers , and fruits .

How to add compost to your garden?

Now that you screw it ’s not well to only utilize compost to grow your plants , I ’ll show you how to mix compost with soil and use it for your flora .

The simplest way of life to use compost is to append 2 - 4 in of compost to your garden bed . you may place it on top of the layer and combine it in with a slant .

You should add compost to your grease bet on the sphere of your garden . If you have a 40 - foot by 100 - metrical unit area , you’re able to add 4,000 three-dimensional foundation of compost .

If you aregrowing the industrial plant in a container , you may sum up 25 % compost to the potting soil when preparing it .

Once the plant has grow , you may summate a 1 - 2 in layer of compost every month or two to the stain and mix it in with a roue . This will help the soil get a ordered supply of nutrient as the flora is growing .

Can you start seeds in compost?

If youstart seeds indoors , you just want a trivial bit of stain for your seed - starting tray or container . I would not propose using compost to start your seed because the spare nutrient can burn the roots .

The source have all the required nutrients till they time they germinate and explicate their first leaves . So you do n’t call for to render them with extra nutrients during this development stage .

It ’s much unspoilt to use a sterile potting mix that does not contain any nutrients and is free from any pathogens .

Fact check out , Written , and put out by Kevin Rodrigues

Kevin is the founding father of Gardening Mentor , a website that aims to learn people to grow their own food for thought in a circumscribed space . As a self - taught nurseryman , Kevin has spent several years growing plants and make horticulture content on the website . He is certified in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University . He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University . Read more